“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Thy name in all the earth, who hast displayed Thy splendor above the heavens! … When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained” (Ps. 8:1,3). “My soul is satisfied … and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips” (Ps. 63:5). Each and every day my heart is so full of appreciation for the magnificent work of God’s hands that I could not contain the fullness thereof if I tried. For my gratefulness just spills out of my heart, and from my lips pours loving adoration to my Heavenly Father. How majestic is my Lord and worthy to be praised! My children are constantly hearing me say, “Oh, isn’t this a beautiful day? God gave us such a beautiful day. Isn’t it a perfect day?” “Oh kids, listen to all those birds singing magnificent praises to their magnificent creator. They are so happy for the warmth of the sunshine today.” “Oh kids, look at how the trees are clapping their hands in praise to God.” “Oh kids, look at those flowers and their gorgeous profusion of color. Can you imagine how great God is to create so many beautiful colors?” “Oh, look at those beautiful clouds, and to think they float so easily across the sky and bring rain when we need it.” “Oh children, look at that gorgeous sunset. Look at those magnificent colors. Oh, how beautifully God paints our sky.” “Kids, look at that beautiful building. To think that God created men who could fashion concrete into such beautifully intricate designs. We are so blessed to be surrounded with such beautiful architecture in St. Louis.” “Isn’t that a beautiful baby? Oh, just look at those tiny little fingers and toes. What adorable little lips and beautiful eyes. Each baby is a miracle and a blessed gift from God.” “Oh kids, smell that honeysuckle. Isn’t that smell absolutely wonderful?” “Come quick and listen to the geese. Winter is surely on its way.” “Christmas lights on the left. Lights on the right. Lights on the left. Don’t they look pretty?” “Oh kids, look, our daffodils are coming up. We will soon have fresh flowers in vases again.” “See all those birds on the telephone line. They’re having a convention.” “Oh, oh, kids, listen to the peepers; there isn’t an orchestra on earth that can play a sweeter sound.” “Quick. Look to the left at the beautiful hawk sitting in the tree. Oh, look at how he soars on the wings of the wind.” “Wow, listen to that thunder. Let’s go look for the lightning. Oh, isn’t God’s mighty power magnificent?” “Oh, listen to the magnificent sound of our horses’ hooves as they run to us, and watch them run. Isn’t God magnificent to create such powerful, yet beautiful, creatures?” “Shh! Listen to the whippoorwill. Our first one this year. Oh, isn’t that sound wonderful?” “Oh kids, smell the air. Breathe deeply for it is so sweet.” “Kids, did you see the groundhog back there alongside the road? It was sitting up on its haunches, looking at all the cars pass. It was so cute.” “Oh kids, look at all those sweet faces on the pansies. Aren’t they adorable?” “Yummy! Smell those onions. There isn’t any smell cozier on a winter day than onions sautéing in butter, a roast cooking in the oven, and fresh baked bread. And oh, what about coffee brewing in the morning while bacon sizzles in the pan. Yum! Yum!” “Oh kids, look at all these beautiful vegetables. The yellow and red peppers. The beautiful brown onions. The deep purple of that eggplant. God even made our vegetables beautiful.” “Oh kids, come taste this tomato. There is nothing better from the garden than a homegrown tomato.” “Oh kids, look at the tall grass swaying in the wind. Isn’t that a gorgeous sight?” “Children, listen to the creek singing to the Lord. Isn’t that beautiful?” “Kids, look up at how the sun is coming through the trees. I love this time of year when we can appreciate how beautifully God created the branches. They are so strong, yet so graceful. Aren’t they lovely!” “Oh kids, come quickly. It’s snowing! Oh, how beautiful! I love snow, don’t you?” “Children, wake up and get dressed. God has blanketed the earth with snow. Shh! Listen to how quiet everything is. Isn’t it beautiful?” “Oh, feel this flannel, how soft it is.” “Oh, isn’t that a beautifully soft sweater. It’s made from angora rabbits. To think God created them to keep us warm.” “Oh, aren’t these fabrics beautiful? To think that God gave us cotton and wool and silk not only to keep us warm, but to please our eyes as well.” “Ahhh! Listen to that saxophone music. How incredibly soothing.” “Doesn’t your bed feel good? Even rest is a blessing.” “Oh, smell the warmth from the furnace. Oh, the first time it goes on, it smells so good. How comforting to know we have a furnace to keep us warm.” “Look at how the sun is reflecting off that building. Isn’t that beautiful?” “Oh kids, listen to the church bells ringing.” “Oh children, look at how the sun is reflecting on the ripples of water. They look like magnificent jewels sparkling.” “Children, come out and see all the stars. How magnificent is God. ‘And the heavens will praise Thy wonders, O Lord’ (Ps. 89:5). ‘The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine … Thou has created them’ (Ps. 89:11). ‘The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands’ (Ps. 19:1).” Several weeks ago, my eldest child held me in her arms and then held my hands in hers as she told me how much she loved me, what a wonderful mom I was, and how much she appreciated everything I had done for her. Then she proceeded to tell me that every minute of each day in everything she sees, in the sounds she hears, in the delicious smells she smells, in the places she goes, and the things she does, she thinks of me and remembers all the things I taught her to appreciate, all the wonderful memories they bring, and how dear they are to her. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Thy name in all the earth, who hast displayed Thy splendor above the heavens! … When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained. What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God, and dost crown him with glory and majesty! Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Thy name in all the earth!” (Ps. 8). As I marvel at God’s majesty and all the magnificent works of His hands, to think that He cares for me makes me weep with deep reverence and gratitude. God’s divine power, strength, wisdom, majesty, and His abundant love for us are revealed in everything we see, in everything we hear, in everything we feel, in everything we smell. God is so good! God is so great! God is so wonderful! God is so magnificent! God is so worthy to be praised! Not once in a while. Not just sometimes. Not even frequently, but all the time!! I can’t help but continually praise God throughout each day, every day, because God is worthy to be praised! “O God, Thou art my God; I shall seek Thee earnestly; my soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee … To see Thy power and Thy glory…. My lips will praise Thee. So I will bless Thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Thy name. My soul is satisfied … and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips” (Ps. 63:1-5). How majestic is Thy name and worthy to be praised!!

How do we teach our children to be thankful? First by showing them through our own humble and grateful attitude towards God’s abundant blessings. Our children must actually hear us praise God out loud—not once in a while, not sometimes, not frequently, but every day, for God says that we should “rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes. 5:16-18). This sets a pattern to follow and helps our children develop eyes to see and ears to hear God’s magnificent handiwork. Furthermore, we must read God’s Word to them every day, pointing out God’s magnificence, wisdom, goodness, mercy, and justice in everything. If you are just beginning to impart a thankful heart to your children, using a concordance, look up all the verses for thanks, thanksgiving, and praise and then read several each evening. Note all the psalms of thanksgiving and praise and read one each night. It is also imperative that we help our children look for God’s divine mercy, goodness, wisdom, and love during trials and tribulations. What a comfort for them to understand that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Furthermore, we must require them to thank others—those who wait on them at stores, doctor’s offices, and restaurants… and to show appreciation to those who provide for them—family and friends who invite all of you over for dinner, hosts of a party, and especially to those who invest in their lives such as a pastor or support group leader. “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction; and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work” (1 Thes. 5:12,13). So let us be diligent to impart a grateful heart to our children.